Battling The Enemy

A while back I read an old Aesop’s Fable titled, “The Wasp and the Snake”. The fable states, ‘A wasp seated himself on the head of a snake and began stinging him unceasingly until the snake was near death. In great torment and not knowing how to rid himself of his enemy, the snake slithered over to a passing wagon that was heavy-laden with wood and purposely placed his head under the wheels, saying “At least my enemy and I shall perish together.”’

Though I do not give credence to fables, I will use the story as an illustration concerning what sin can do to us if it is not dealt with and put down by the power of God’s Word. Too often we try to deal with the sin in our lives through our own strength and through our own devices. But as one quickly learns, when we do so, we are defeated at every turn. We are simply not strong enough to go into battle on our own against our Enemy [Satan] and yield a victorious outcome. The only way that we can have a victory over our Enemy is through the use of God’s Word and the power of God’s Holy Spirit.

If we were to survey the life of the prophet Jeremiah, we would find that Jeremiah was attacked on many fronts by Satan – emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually. In fact, there were times that Jeremiah wanted to give up in his service unto the Lord – and once in his despair he stated, “Cursed be the day wherein I was born: let not the day wherein my mother bare me be blessed.” [Jeremiah 20:14]. But the very moment Jeremiah turned to the Lord in his great hour of need against Satan’s onslaught, the battle quickly changed and a victory was won.

Jeremiah 20:10-13 states,

“For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him. But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten. But, O LORD of hosts, that triest the righteous, and seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I opened my cause. Sing unto the LORD, praise ye the LORD: for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers.”

Unlike the snake in Aesop’s Fable, we know how to rid ourselves of the Enemy – by hiding Scripture in our heart so that during the moment of temptation, we are prepared to step aside and let the Sword of the Spirit prevail.

Ephesians 6:10-18 states,

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”

If you are being overcome by the Enemy’s attacks (even if you feel that the only way to escape the attacks is to take matters into your own hands): quickly turn to God’s Word and the power of God’s Holy Spirit. For, therein you will find your victory.

James 4:7,

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”